Alfredo mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food mashup—creamy, cheesy, and rich enough to feel indulgent but simple enough for a weeknight dinner. Starting with tender pasta and layering in a luscious Alfredo-style sauce made from heavy cream, Parmesan, and mozzarella, this dish is a family favorite that comes together with pantry staples. If you’re craving a next-level mac and cheese, this creamy casserole is your answer.
Table of Contents
💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy meets cheesy: Parmesan and mozzarella melt into a rich Alfredo-style sauce
- Familiar ingredients: No fancy tools or trips to specialty stores required
- Flexible: Use your favorite pasta shape and cheese blend
- Kid-approved: A dish the whole family will happily devour
- Make-ahead friendly: Perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or leftovers
🛒 Ingredients
For the pasta:
- 3 cups dry pasta (elbow macaroni, rotini, penne, etc.)
- 1 tsp butter (optional, for tossing cooked pasta)
For the cheese sauce:
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups whole milk
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz grated mozzarella cheese
- ¼ tsp ground white pepper (or black pepper)
👨🍳 Instructions
- Boil the pasta: Cook pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain well. Optionally toss with a bit of butter to prevent sticking.
- Scald the milk and cream: Warm the milk and cream in a small pot until steaming—don’t boil.
- Make a roux: In a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour and pepper, whisking constantly for 2–3 minutes.
- Soften garlic: Add minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds.
- Create the sauce: Slowly whisk in warm milk and cream in batches. Cook until slightly thickened.
- Add cheese: Remove pan from heat. Stir in Parmesan gradually until smooth.
- Assemble: In a greased baking dish, layer pasta, sauce, and half the mozzarella. Repeat layers and top with remaining mozzarella.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F for 45–60 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
⏱️ Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45–60 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes
- Servings: 6
🍽️ Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, Est.)
- Calories: ~530
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbs: 35g
- Based on 6 servings. Approximate values.
💡 Tips & Variations
- Use freshly shredded cheese for a smoother sauce (avoid pre-shredded)
- Switch up the cheeses: Gruyère, cheddar, or fontina work great
- Add-ins: Bacon, chicken, or spinach take it to the next level
- Make it gluten-free: Use GF pasta and a GF flour blend
- Crispier top? Broil for 1–2 minutes at the end—watch closely!
❓ FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Add 10–15 minutes to the baking time.
Can I freeze it?
Absolutely. Freeze before or after baking. If baking from frozen, allow up to 90 minutes total time.
What’s the best pasta for Alfredo mac and cheese?
Short shapes like elbow, rotini, or shells work best—they hold the sauce well.
🍽️ What to Serve With It
- Crisp Caesar salad
- Roasted broccoli or green beans
- Garlic bread or breadsticks
- Grilled chicken or sautéed mushrooms for added protein
Alfredo Mac and Cheese
Equipment
- Saucepan
- – Baking dish
- Whisk
- – Cheese grater
Ingredients
- **Pasta:**
- – 3 cups dry pasta
- – 1 tsp butter optional
- **Cheese Sauce:**
- – 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- – 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- – 1½ cups whole milk
- – 1½ cups heavy cream
- – 3 garlic cloves minced
- – ¾ cup grated Parmesan
- – 12 oz shredded mozzarella
- – ¼ tsp white pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta until al dente. Drain well.
- Warm milk and cream until steaming.
- In another pan, melt butter. Add flour and pepper. Stir 2–3 minutes.
- Add garlic, stir for 30 seconds.
- Slowly whisk in warm milk and cream. Simmer until thickened.
- Off heat, stir in Parmesan until smooth.
- In greased baking dish, layer pasta, sauce, and mozzarella. Repeat.
- Bake at 350°F for 45–60 minutes. Rest 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
– Broil top briefly for golden finish.
– Add bacon or spinach for variety.
🧾 Conclusion
If you’re looking for an elevated mac and cheese that’s still easy to make, this Alfredo Mac and Cheese checks every box. It’s rich, creamy, and comforting with a texture that’s silky smooth and a flavor that screams “special occasion” on a Tuesday. Once you try it, boxed mac will never be the same again.